Families of three men say they haven't contacted them in 10 days; fear they joined rebel forces in fight against Assad

Hassan Shaalan|Published: 09.03.13 , 15:26

Three Arab-Israelis from central Israel who traveled abroad 10 days ago have stopped communications with their relatives and can no longer be reached. Their families are worried that they have joined rebel forces in Syria.

One of the mens father reported his son missing at his local police station. "One of the families notified us that their son had traveled to Turkey and said they were worried he entered Syria to partake in the fighting," a police source said. "It turns out their son had bought a one-way ticket. Police did not receive a report about the two others. They are probably afraid of being arrested upon their return to Israel."

An acquaintance of the three, all in their thirties, said, "Everyone is worried they entered Syria. The families are very worried. They're trying to contact them but have been unsuccessful." He noted that one of the three men got married several months ago.

A relative said, "We're stressed and fear for their lives. I hope they didn't go to Syria and am asking them – please contact us so we can put our minds at ease."

An Arab-Israeli
student from northern Israel has been missing for the past six weeks and it is suspected he joined rebel forces
in Syria.

The Foreign Ministry
said they have not received any reports of any Israelis missing abroad but added there may be developments in the coming days.